What to Do When Moving Into a New House

Moving into a newly built home is sure to bring plenty of excitement and smiles. However, along with the joy of having your brand-new home, you may also feel some apprehension. You might be wondering what to expect upon move-in, and you likely feel overwhelmed with all the last-minute things on your list.

In this article, we will discuss what you need to know before moving into a new house. This will include what to check before moving in, how to communicate with the builder, potential challenges, and more.

Follow our helpful tips and you’ll feel confident moving into your new house.

Steps To Take When Moving Into a New House

Besides the usual packing and furniture shopping, there’s plenty of other to-dos to add to your list. Being aware of these tasks can help minimize potential problems.

Taking the time to go through each step will also help to lower your stress level. Here are six steps to take when moving into a new house.

Complete a Walkthrough

Whether you’ve helped design the house you’re moving into, or it was already built when you found it, you should do a complete walkthrough and check everything from top to bottom.

Before you move in your things, make sure the builder has completed all the work properly.

You should go through the house and ensure all the lights, outlets, ceiling fans, and appliances are operational. That way, you’ll know if there are any issues before getting all your furniture in place.

Have a Plan If Something Goes Wrong

If you find an issue before moving in, discuss the issue with the builder. It’s better to catch any potential problems now. If you wait, the building crew will have already moved on to another project.

However, there’s always a chance that you miss something on the walkthrough and have a small issue after you move in. For example, a piece of molding might come loose.

Talk to the builder about what steps you need to take if something does arise after settling in.

There shouldn’t be any problems correcting these issues because new homes come with a builder warranty. Builder warranties vary from one year to ten years, depending on the component.

Know Where Important Things Are Located

There are some items that you won’t want to be hunting for if you need them. Knowing where everything is will help you in the future. Be sure to locate the fuse box and the water shut-off valves. That way, in case of an emergency, you’ll know exactly where they are. If you are unsure, always communicate with the builder.

Make Sure the Utilities Are Turned On

Setting up your utilities is important to take care of before moving in. If you contact the utility company a few weeks before move-in day, you can ensure a smooth transition. You’ll have to contact each utility carrier separately to let them know your move-in date, the type of service you need, your address, and other identifying information.

The main utilities that you’ll need to contact are:

• Electricity
• Water and sewer
• Natural gas (if applicable)
• Trash pick-up
• Internet/cable service
• Phone service (if you have a landline)

Find Out If the Home Has an HOA

Even before you move in, you should check for information about any Homeowner’s Association in your new neighborhood. Chances are, if you’re in a new home and neighborhood, there will be an HOA.

An HOA is an organization that creates rules for the neighborhood or subdivision. When you purchase a property within the HOA community, you automatically become a member and must pay the annual dues. You are also subject to the rules created by the HOA board. An HOA enforces rules by giving warnings or fines to non-compliant members. So, it’s vital to know the HOA guidelines and dues before you move in.

Check Out the Neighborhood

People often do some research on the neighborhood prior to moving. However, some people may have found an ideal house that fits all their criteria and didn’t worry about the neighborhood. If this is the case, it’s helpful to get a feel for the area, especially if you’re new.

Find out where grocery stores, restaurants, medical centers, and libraries are, so you’ll be prepared for navigating the town. Also, you might want to find out more about your neighbors if they are in close proximity to your home.

Some people may be moving into a community that’s still in the development stages. If this is the case, what should you expect in your community?

Be prepared to see (and hear) building construction equipment around you. You’ll have to get used to seeing quite a bit of dirt and hearing the sound of sawing, drilling, machinery, and more when you live in a new development.

The final aspect of the “under-construction” neighborhood is that it will have fewer people around. Some people may like that, while others crave more of a community feel.

Be prepared to see (and hear) building construction equipment around you. You’ll have to get used to seeing quite a bit of dirt and hearing the sound of sawing, drilling, machinery, and more when you live in a new development.

The final aspect of the “under-construction” neighborhood is that it will have fewer people around. Some people may like that, while others crave more of a community feel.

Wrapping Up

Moving into a new house is both an exciting and high-stress life event. Being equipped with these tips will help you prepare for a more seamless move. Take care of everything you can now so you’re able to relax and enjoy your new house.